Scottish Tablet or ‘Taiblet’, in Scots, is a traditional Scottish confection made from sugar, butter and condensed milk. It can also be found under the name of the ‘Swiss Milk tablet’ since condensed milk is sometimes called Swiss Milk.
Usually, it is flavoured with vanilla, and sometimes whiskey and nut pieces. However, whatever that goes into it, the tablet is a sugar bomb.
It is not officially known from where Scottish Tablet originates. However, the first record of it dates back to the early 18th century from The Household Book of Lady Grisell Baillie. As is the case with other recipes in old cookbooks, this one is quite modest. It consisted only of sugar and cream.
It is sometimes mistakenly considered that Tablet is some kind of fudge. However, there are significant differences in the texture and ingredients. Unlike fudge which is much softer, Tablet has grainier and brittle texture.
A very similar to Tablet are Sucre à la crème from Quebeck, Borstplaat from the Netherlands and Barfi from India.
FAQs
Scottish tablet is a centuries old recipe, and has stood the test of time due to its simple and inexpensive ingredients. Historians believe that the first tablet recipe was published in the 1700, although at this time, tablet was made with sugar and cream!
What is the Scottish meaning of tablet? ›
TABLET, n. Also taiblet; ¶tablement. Sc. usage: a confection, composed of sugar, butter and flavouring, orig.
Is a tablet a Scottish thing? ›
Tablet (taiblet in Scots) is a medium-hard, sugary confection from Scotland. Tablet is usually made from sugar, condensed milk, and butter, which is boiled to a soft-ball stage and allowed to crystallise. It is often flavoured with vanilla and sometimes has nut pieces in it.
What is the traditional food of Scotland? ›
Haggis. Haggis is our national dish, and the first recipe dates back to the 15th century (in recorded history).
When should I eat Scottish tablet? ›
A small piece after dinner can round off a meal beautifully, or a tiny square with your afternoon tea can turn a routine break into a special occasion. The beauty of this treat is in its richness; you don't need much to feel satisfied. But why stop at the traditional way? Scottish Tablet is incredibly versatile.
What is the difference between Scottish fudge and tablet? ›
Some people will try to tell you that tablet is a form of fudge. However, proper tablet aficionados (and we have been doing a lot of sampling) will tell you that there is a clear difference in texture between tablet and fudge. Fudge tends to be softer, while tablet has a grainier and more brittle texture.
Why is a tablet called a tablet? ›
You can also use the noun tablet to mean "writing pad" or "small computer with a touch screen." The earliest meaning of the word is "surface for inscription," the writing pads of the ancient world, which were made of stone, clay, or wax. The Latin root of tablet is tabula, "board, writing table, or list."
What do Scots call Scotland? ›
The Scots Gaelic name for Scotland, Alba, derives from the same Celtic root as the name Albion, which properly designates the entire island of Great Britain but, by implication as used by foreigners, sometimes the country of England, Scotland's southern neighbour which covers the largest portion of the island of ...
What is the Scottish term for ladies? ›
#10: Hen. One of the most popular Scottish slang words is “hen,” referring to a young lady, and usually used as a term of endearment.
How long does Scottish tablet last once made? ›
How long does Scottish Tablet Keep? Tablet is over 50% sugar and because sugar is a natural preservative, it means that if it is kept in an airtight tin and stored at room temperature, it can last for around 10 days. If you keep it in the fridge, however, it can keep for a few weeks!
In 1972, Alan Kay, an American Computer scientist, came up with the concept of a tablet (named Dynabook), which he detailed in his writings that he later published. Kay envisioned a personal computing device for children that works pretty much like a PC.
What are traditional Scottish sweets? ›
View Range DELICIOUS SCOTTISH SWEETS Include: Boiled Sweets, Caramels, Chocolate Creams, Liquorice, Retro Sweets, Rock, Soft Creams & Soft Rock and Toffee.
What do Scots eat for breakfast? ›
So, what is a full Scottish breakfast? Usually made up of bacon, link sausages, Lorne sausage (also known as square sausage or slice), black pudding, haggis, baked beans, fried mushrooms and tomatoes, toast, tattie scones and fried eggs, the full Scottish breakfast is a sight to behold.
Where did the Scottish clan come from? ›
Scottish clans are thought to date back to the beginning of the 12th century. They seemed to develop as a way for the monarch to maintain order in the Scottish Highlands. This area had experienced much social unrest with northern rebellions, and fierce battles against Norsem*n.
What is the oldest Scottish instrument? ›
The clarsach (Scottish Gaelic clàrsach) is Scotland's oldest national instrument, having been played throughout the land from very earliest times. Long before the arrival of the bagpipe, it was the mainstay of Gaelic courtly music.
Where did Scottish ancestors come from? ›
Where did Scottish people come from? Early Historic Scotland was a melting pot of different groups – the Britons, the Picts, the Angles, the Gaels (Scots) and the Norse – and you can see this mixture reflected in place-names around the country, from Ben Macdui (Gaelic) to Stornoway (Norse) via Aberdeen (Pictish).
What is the history of the Scottish Highlander? ›
Highlanders are descendants of Celts who settled in the northern mainland and islands of Scotland, which is part of Great Britain. The Highland Scots are unique in the way they moved in large, organized groups directly from their homeland to the North Carolina colony.
